Tech Notebook: Saturday's game extra special for offensive tackle

BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech redshirt freshman right tackle Blake DeChristopher has extra motivation to play well Saturday. His older brother, Lane DeChristopher, is expected to be in the Bank of America Stadium crowd when the Hokies take on East Carolina.

Lane DeChristopher, 25, is a member of the National Guard, and he was recently informed of a possible re-deployment to Iraq in October for his unit.

Since he isn’t sure how many games his brother will get to see, Blake DeChristopher, 19, would like to give him something good to remember.

“I definitely want to go out there and make him proud, especially if he does end up going over there,” DeChristopher said. “I want him to enjoy these couple of games that he does get to see. It’s going to be a little emotional for me to go out there because I’m going to want to impress him, so that will be pushing me, too, to make me play better.”

Lane DeChristopher did a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq in 2004. His younger brother said Tuesday that Lane received word last week of another possible tour, but there’s a chance he might not have to go.

“He’s trying to fight it,” said Blake, Tech’s only new offensive line starter. “Me and my family are hoping that he doesn’t have to go back, but that’s where we are right now. We’re not sure. There’s a chance he might have to go back or he might be able to stay.”

Macho doubtful

Tech cornerback Macho Harris has been slow to recover from a left foot sprain.

The senior All-America candidate hasn’t practiced all week, and he is listed as doubtful to play in Saturday’s season opener against East Carolina.

That means the Hokies could have two first-time starters at cornerback.

Redshirt sophomore Rashad Carmichael could start in Harris’ place. He saw limited playing time last season as eventual NFL draft pick Brandon Flowers’ backup.

Junior Stephan Virgil is expected to make his debut start at cornerback Saturday.

Harris sprained his left foot while running back a kickoff in the Hokies’ final intra-squad scrimmage last Friday, and was walking with a noticeable limp afterward.

If Harris doesn’t play, freshman Dyrell Roberts would likely return punts and Kenny Lewis Jr. would likely return kickoffs.

What if things change?
There is any number of circumstances that could change Virginia Tech’s quarterback plans.

What if starting quarterback Sean Glennon is injured? What if he plays poorly the first couple of weeks?

How many games into the season would the Hokies consider pulling Tyrod Taylor’s redshirt?

“We haven’t gotten that far,” Tech coach Frank Beamer said Tuesday. “Again, a lot of things could happen as the season goes along.”

There is no definite cut-off point for nixing the redshirt plan, if necessary, but as the season progresses, the team would be less likely to let Taylor play.

“(Quarterbacks coach Mike O’Cain) talked about that in the meeting (we had Saturday, when he informed me of the redshirt plan) and we said no later than game four or five, because after that you’d just be playing half a season, basically,” Taylor said.

The Hokies planned to redshirt Taylor last season until the offense completely stalled in a nationally televised meltdown against top-ranked LSU.

Taylor says he’ll be ready again if he’s needed.

“Tyrod’s attitude, you can’t tell the difference,” Lewis said. “He’s out there practicing like he’s getting ready for Saturday.”

RBs still up in the air
The Hokies’ tailback rotation isn’t set in stone. The only definite is: Lewis is starting Saturday against the Pirates.

Redshirt freshman Darren Evans is listed as the backup on Tech’s depth chart, but any one of the team’s six tailbacks could end up with the most carries.

“As a group right now, they’ve all done well,” Beamer said. “I just think we need more time. It’s hard to say who’s who.”

Extra points

Tech’s helmets will have a “JD” sticker on them in remembrance of Joseph “J.D.” Burroughs, a student manager for the football team who was killed in a car accident in the Richmond area this past summer. … Virginia Tech and Boston College each have 10 graduate students among their players, tying them for the most in the ACC. The Hokies’ grad students are: Jacob Gardner, Glennon, Cory Holt, Dustin Keys, Nick Marshman, Orion Martin, Ryan Shuman, Purnell Sturdivant, Demetrius Taylor and Brett Warren. … Roberts could become the first true freshman wide receiver to start a season-opener in the Beamer era. Right guard Sergio Render was the last Hokies true freshman to start a season opener. He started all 14 games in 2006. … Beamer’s daughter, Casey, works for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, who play in Bank of America Stadium, site of Tech’s opener. … ECU coach Skip Holtz is 0-1 against the Hokies, making him and his father, College Football Hall of Famer Lou Holtz, a combined 0-4. Lou Holtz lost all three meetings he had with Tech as William & Mary’s coach from 1969-1971.